Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Senate Confirms Lee to Fill Federal Judgeships in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and a representative from U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's (R-IL) office today announced that the Senate has confirmed John Lee for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. Durbin and Kirk have also worked closely on the nomination of John Tharp, who is expected to receive a confirmation vote later this month to fill a second vacancy in the Northern District. Prior to the vote, Durbin spoke in favor of … Continue Reading
May 07, 2012
Durbin Chairs Field Hearing on Ohio Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a field hearing today examining the impact of Ohio's new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct, and makes it harder to vote absentee. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown joined Durbin at the hearing. "If the goal of Ohio's new voting … Continue Reading
May 03, 2012
Durbin "Likes" Facebook Decision to Join Global Network Initiative As an Observer
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after Facebook announced that it would be joining the Global Network Initiative (GNI) as an observer. "Facebook is presented with the significant human rights issues that the Global Network Initiative is designed to help companies address. For years, I've urged the social network giant to join the GNI and take other steps to protect the human rights of its users," Durbin said. "Facebook … Continue Reading
May 02, 2012
Durbin Statement on NFL Player Suspensions Bounty Investigation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the NFL announced the suspension of four players for their involvement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program: "Today's announcement by the NFL is a positive step that shows that the League is taking seriously the issue of bounty programs," Durbin said. "I have spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and I will meet with him in the coming weeks to discuss additional steps … Continue Reading
April 30, 2012
Durbin Announces Field Hearing on Ohio Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, today announced a field hearing examining the impact of Ohio's new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct, and makes it harder to vote absentee. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 7th, at the Carl B. Stokes United States Court House in Cleveland, … Continue Reading
April 17, 2012
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Racial Profiling in America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired a hearing on racial profiling in America - the first hearing on the issue in over a decade. The hearing explored immigration enforcement that subjects Hispanic Americans to heightened scrutiny, discriminatory law enforcement against African Americans, and anti-terrorism efforts that target American Muslims. … Continue Reading
April 05, 2012
Durbin to Chair Hearing on Racial Profiling in America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a hearing on racial profiling in America to be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 10:00am ET. The hearing will be held in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington. The hearing - the first in the Senate since before 9/11 - will explore how profiling harms law enforcement and the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Durbin Announces Judiciary Hearing on Sports Bounties
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will chair a Judiciary Committee hearing on bounties in sports and determining whether federal sports bribery laws should be expanded to include sports bounty programs. The announcement comes the day after the National Football League (NFL) suspended the New Orleans Saints' head coach, defensive coordinator, and general manager for their involvement in a bounty program used by the team. The hearing … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Sports Bounties
Mr./Mme. President, I rise to speak about a disturbing practice that was recently uncovered by the National Football League. Let me say, it is important to play hard in every sport. But it is also important to play fair … and to play safe. I was appalled to learn about a recent National Football League investigation revealing that the New Orleans Saints had allegedly been running an illegal "bounty" program. Through this disturbing practice, players were reportedly given … Continue Reading
March 12, 2012
Durbin Legislation Will Support Task Force Efforts and Help Bring Fugitives to Justice
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation to devote additional federal resources to investigating, apprehending, extraditing and prosecuting fugitives suspected of committing serious crimes. Durbin's Bringing Fugitives to Justice Act would enhance resources for fugitive apprehension efforts by directing appearance and bail bonds that are forfeited in federal criminal cases to a Fugitive Extradition and Apprehension Trust Fund. The bill is the most recent … Continue Reading
March 12, 2012
Durbin: Liquor Sale Cut-Off Should Be Permanent, Late Night Club Scene Still Must Be Addressed
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after learning that East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks temporarily suspended all non-casino sales of liquor after 1:00 AM following weekend shootings outside two East St. Louis night clubs. "This weekend's tragic and fatal violence at East St. Louis late night clubs should give Mayor Parks all the evidence he needs to step up and do the right thing. Temporary, half-way, half-hearted responses by Mayor … Continue Reading
March 05, 2012
Durbin, Nelson Statement on the Department of Justice's Challenge of Florida's New Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) each released the following statements today after the U.S. Department of Justice filed papers in court challenging portions of Florida's new voting law. "The Justice Department has made the right decision in challenging Florida's new voting law," Durbin said. "The Florida law's onerous new restrictions are unfair, unwise and will have a disproportionate impact on minority, young, low income and other … Continue Reading
March 05, 2012
Durbin Calls on Mayor Parks to Rein In Club Scene and Stop Late Night Liquor Sales
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on East St. Louis Mayor Alvin L. Parks Jr., to partner with federal, state and local officials to reduce crime in East St. Louis by reining in the city's club scene and stopping late night liquor sales. "It is imperative that the leadership of East St. Louis put the safety of East St. Louis residents before the interests of the liquor stores, night clubs and other establishments that attract crime. Simply put, the nightclubs and the liquor sales … Continue Reading
February 16, 2012
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Federal Judicial Nominees in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and a representative from U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's (R-IL) office today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Durbin is a member, has approved by voice vote John Lee and John Tharp for federal judgeships on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. Their nominations will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "I am pleased the Judiciary Committee has approved these two outstanding Illinois … Continue Reading
February 15, 2012
Durbin and Coburn Question Twitter on New Censorship Policy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - US Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) sent a letter to Twitter CEO, Dick Costolo, asking for detailed information about the social media giant's announcement that it would begin censoring content in particular countries. Durbin, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, and Coburn have held two hearings examining tech industry practices in internet-restricting countries and efforts to promote internet … Continue Reading
February 09, 2012
Durbin, Grassley Bill to Require Televising Supreme Court Proceedings Passes Committee Test
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bill to require open proceedings of the Supreme Court to be televised, introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 11-7. The Cameras in the Courtroom Act of 2011 would require television coverage of all open sessions of the Court, unless the Court decides, by a vote of the majority of justices, that … Continue Reading
January 27, 2012
Durbin Chairs First-ever Field Hearing on Florida's Voting Law
[TAMPA, FLORIDA] - US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, held a field hearing in Tampa, Florida today, examining the impact of Florida's new voting law, which restricts early voting and makes it harder for third-party groups to help people register to vote. Today's hearing comes just four days before Florida's presidential primary. "Four days from now, hundreds of thousands of people across the … Continue Reading
January 26, 2012
Durbin Introduces Illinois Residents at Senate Committee Hearing on Northern District Judicial Nominations
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced John Lee and John "Jay" Tharp at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on their nominations by President Obama to fill two vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. Their nominations are expected to receive a vote in the committee within the next few weeks. If approved, their nominations will receive a vote by the full Senate. A spokesperson Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) provided the … Continue Reading
January 12, 2012
Durbin Announces Field Hearing on Florida Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, today announced a field hearing examining the impact of Florida's new voting law, which restricts early voting and makes it harder for third-party groups to help people register to vote. The hearing will be held on January 27th, just days before the Florida Presidential Primary, at the Hillsborough County Courthouse in downtown Tampa. Among … Continue Reading
November 10, 2011
Durbin, Kirk Statement on White House Nominees to Fill Federal Judgeship in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that President Obama has nominated John Lee and John Tharp to fill two vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. The Senators released the following statement: "We are pleased President Obama nominated John Tharp and John Lee to serve on the federal bench. Both individuals are eminently qualified and we will work together to ensure their swift confirmation in the … Continue Reading